Iris Knobloch, who was recently re-elected as a second mission at the Cannes Film Festival, was awarded the commander of the Arts and Letters by French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati at a ceremony on Sunday.

The close ceremony held in Palais des Desivals gathered Knobloch's husband, brother, niece and representative of Cannes General Thierry Fremaux, as well as powerful entertainment figures such as Kering boss Francois-Henri Pinault, Tarak Ben Ammar, Tarak Ben Ammar, Arnaud de puyfontaine of Vivendi, Metropolitan Filmide and fornessport, other Victors,

Knobloch, who led Warner Bros. in Europe, became Cannes' first female president in 2022.

Knobloch said in his speech that she and Dati have a lot in common. “We both have foreign roots and French wings,” Noblock said. "We are vocational in a world of men, we are outsiders in very closed circles, we need to prove ourselves again and again, maybe more important than others, and we are convinced of the liberating power of culture," she said. "I was born in Munich, a country with strict rules and memory is the pillar."

Knobloch also talked about the 1939 music festival being established on the eve of World War II. "The first edition of Cannes did not happen until the end of the war in 1946. This date was also a founding date for me, because my father was liberated from Auschwitz after he went through hell."

"Standing on the head of this festival today is like a whole circle. It respects its memory and confirms that life, creativity and freedom always prevails. It is a reminder that in the dark times, culture has always been our best refuge and our strongest resistance. My family has gone through this first-hand experience," Knobloch said.

Meanwhile, Dati pays homage to Knobloch’s commitment to “strengthening women’s role in a sector that is still insufficient.” "As the only woman around the table, you never confuse you or stop you," Dadi said. "But my admiration for you is that you fight very fiercely, but always with gentleness, kindness, calmness and tranquility."

Duddy also noted that Nobrok had a long history with the Cannes Film Festival even before he became president. In 2011, she introduced the "artist" in the competition. Directed by Michael Hazanavicius, this black and white silent film about the golden age of Hollywood, is revealed in every studio. "The scripts of 'artist' are rejected by everyone except you," Dadi said. "This risk is your embodiment of your professional participation, the boldness and political significance of the festival."